Passwords

Passwords are evaluated and assigned a score between 0 an 100. The higher the score the stronger the password. These scores are then assigned a complexity tag (Very Weak, Weak, Good, Strong, and Very Strong).

Password Score

The algorthim calculates a password score based on the following additions and deductions.

Additions (increases the score)

  • Number of characters

  • Uppercase letters

  • Lowercase letters

  • Use of numbers

  • Use of symbols

  • Use of symbols used in the middle of the password

Deductions (decreases the score)

  • Letters only

  • Numbers only

  • Repeated characters

  • Consecutive uppercase characters

  • Consecutive lowercase characters

  • Consecutive numbers

  • Sequential letters

  • Sequential numbers

Password Complexity Tag

Each password score is assigned a complexity tag. The complexity range definitions are shown below.

Color

Score

Description
_images/redbox.png

Less than 40

Very Weak
_images/orangebox.png

41 to 60

Weak
_images/yellowbox.png

61 to 80

Good
_images/greenbox100x100.png

81 to 90

Strong
_images/darkgreenbox100x100.png

Greater than 90

Very Strong

Note

The password score is based on code from pwdmeter written by Jeff Todnem.